Fire & Film was created in 2011 to establish a site where firefighters, news media and everyday citizens could find coverage of emergency incidents. Fire & Film started as a small hobby in 2005 taking some photos at emergency incidents and posting them for local fire companies. That hobby continued through the years but never became a priority until 2010. Throughout 2010, the photography started to heat up and coverage of more and more incidents and events began to happen and were posted to galleries online and a personal Facebook page. Finally, in 2011, Fire & Film was created so those wishing to view the content could do so easily.
Fire & Film focuses on the photography and video of JC Kriesher. JC became involved in the emergency services in 2004 when he joined his local volunteer fire company in his hometown of Sheppton (Schuylkill County, PA). JC began to take photos on scene while a junior firefighter with the company. While serving with the company, he has held the positions of firefighter, EMT, Captain and currently serves as Assistant Chief.
Sheppton is not the only experience as a firefighter that Kriesher possesses. Kriesher has been a member of the Citizens Fire Company #2 of Mahanoy City & Mahanoy City EMS since 2005 and is also a member of the Nuremberg- Weston Fire Company and Friendship Fire Company of Englewood. While obtaining a bachelors degree from The Pennsylvania State University, Kriesher volunteered with the Alpha Fire Company in State College for three years. Kriesher currently works in the public safety sector.
When Fire & Film was first created, the primary focus of the site was to cover the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. After a relocation back to Schuylkill County, the primary focus switched to cover Schuylkill County as well as lower Luzerne County, Carbon County, Northumberland County and occasionally some areas further outside the primary coverage.
You can find Fire & Film’s work published in the Pennsylvania Edition of 1st Responder News each month. Photos have also been published in local newspapers and have been distributed by the Associated Press. In addition to print, footage has also been published on major fire news websites including Firehouse.com and STATter911.com.
Fire & Film strives to be the leader of on-scene photography in the Coal Region by providing the highest quality work at a large number of incidents and events. Fire & Film can be spotted on the scene carrying two professional grade DSLR cameras. Kriesher uses his experience as a firefighter to get in the best position to capture great photos but also stay clear of danger or obstructing those operating on the scene. Kriesher has also been used by command as an extra set of eyes to spot dangerous changes in conditions on the scene.
If there is a scheduled event or training that you would like Fire & Film to cover, please contact us using the Contact Us page or send us a message on our Facebook page.
